Great Wolf Lodge plans indoor water park resort
The preferred site formerly was used for New York City's Camp La Guardia homeless shelter.
Great Wolf Lodge, which operates indoor water park resorts, is eyeballing southern Orange County for one of its familyfriendly facilities.
The announcement comes as an indoor water park already is under construction next to the new Resorts World Catskills casino in the Sullivan County town of Thompson.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus revealed Wednesday that he has had discussions with Great Wolf officials.
Neuhaus said that while Great Wolf has been looking at the area for about a year, the creation of a Legoland theme park in Orange County essentially sealed the deal. Legoland New York is to open in Goshen in 2020.
“Legoland being approved and fully under construction definitely helped push [Great Wolf] over the line because I think they are fishing from the same pool,” Neuhaus said. “They attract young families.”
Great Wolf’s preferred site in Orange County is the county-owned land in Chester and Blooming Grove that formerly was used for New York City’s Camp La Guardia homeless shelter. Another site in Chester also is under consideration for the Great Wolf development, which would include a hotel.
Great Wold Chief Executive Officer Murray Hennessy said in a prepared statement that the company “is experiencing a period of incredible growth, and as we continue to expand our paw print with new resorts throughout the United States, we see the metro New York [City] market as an area that offers tremendous future potential.”
“Orange County is an ideal location for a potential Great Wolf Lodge with its close proximity to New York City and family-friendly environment,” Hennessy said.
Great Wolf currently operates 18 lodges, including one in Scotrun, Pa., in the Poconos region.